Leinster's fly-half Jonathan Sexton could make his return from injury against Munster on Saturday.

The news is likely to interest British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland with Sexton widely regarded to be in the running to feature for the tourists against the Wallabies this summer.

Sexton has been out of action since Ireland's Six Nations round two match against England in February during which he suffered a hamstring injury.

Ireland hoped that Sexton would play some part in the championship but he then suffered a tendon tear in his foot during training. This prolonged his time on the sidelines but Leinster claim that he has "stepped up his rehabilitation in recent days" and is in the mix to face Munster, who booked their place in the Heineken Cup semi-finals with a commanding win over Harlequins on Sunday, this weekend.

Centre Brian O'Driscoll is also available with his suspension for stamping while on Six Nations duty now at an end.